International prize for the scientific literacy of the children of the planet

Innovate, Inculcate, Influence.

The "puRkwa" Prize's goal is to be known throughout the entire world. It is destined to encourage the best innovative practices in general science éducation for children less then 16 years of age in the school curriculum. The Prize is addressed to the "pioneers" in innovation: people in charge of innovative programmes or people who have succeeded in motivating professors in innovation.

It will reward réal inventive innovative teaching methods and différent ways of applying ideas... a project which has already been experimented with success, integrated in the school programme of the country in question and cohérent with its goals. The project will have to prove that it generates a change in behaviour.

The puRkwa Prize was officially launched on June 21st, 2004, at "l'Académie des Sciences de l'Institut de France" in Paris in presence of the members of the jury. More than 150 key figures of the academic, institutional and industrial world, the French and foreign press were present at the event under the patronage of M. Jacques Chirac, the President of the French Republic.

The Purkwa Prize is awarded jointly by the French Academy of Science and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines of Saint-Etienne.

For Edouard Brézin, President of the French Academy of Science, the purkwa Prize is a major encouragement for the best teachers, those who know how to unfold the hidden beauty of the world for children, the beauty that is only revealed to those who have learned to listen, wonder and question, those who can argue their point and thus perceive the distance between magic and reason.

For Robert Germinet, Director of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines of Saint-Etienne (ENSM-SE), who founded the purkwa Prize, scientific and technical education is a major challenge for our society, not only because it rewards better teaching methods, knowledge sharing and the advancement of science education for all but also because it promotes democratic values which are the cornerstone of a scientific spirit : listening, tolerance and respect for the others…

Numerous partners , who are convinced that this prize is worth supporting, have brought their contribution to the purkwa Prize through donations whose annual interest revenues amount to 80 000 Euros. The general council of the Loire department, St Etienne métropole, the city of Saint-Etienne, the alumni association of ENSM-SE as well as industrial partners support the purkwa Prize which is administered by the ENSM-SE Foundation.

The 2007 prizewinners

The 2006 prizewinners

The 2005 prizewinners

The Jury